Surawong” reveals that the party dinner discussed working together in the future. There was no conflict over amending the constitution. He reiterated the government’s position to draft the entire constitution. He is confident that the process will begin in time. As for the Tak Bai case, he is ready to apologize and provide compensation.

Mr. Surawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports and Secretary-General of the Pheu Thai Party, talked about the dinner appointment of the leaders of the coalition parties this evening that there probably wasn’t much to the issue. It was the first dinner appointment after Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister, took office. We had dinner together only when Ms. Paethongtarn was the party leader. When Mr. Settha Thavisin was the Prime Minister, it was gone. So we thought we wanted to have dinner together, so we made an appointment.

Many people think that it is because of the Bhumjaithai Party’s stance, especially on the issue of amending the constitution. Mr. S
urawong said that in reality, these issues can be discussed. It is a coalition government that combines many political parties, and many parties have different stances and objectives. However, there are no problems in working together. There may be some discussions about future work, but in terms of conflicts, it is a matter of working in politics. Everyone comes from different political parties, so they have different stances and objectives. However, overall, there should not be any problems. There will probably be more discussions about future work.

Mr. Surawong also confirmed the policy of drafting a new constitution in its entirety and still understands that it should be in time for various methods. What we are worried about after the Senate adjusted the resolution to hold a referendum as a 2-tier system, we are worried that it will not be in time to include the questions together with the local elections nationwide. Because if it is not in time for the local elections nationwide early next year, the ref
erendum that will take place will have to be a separate referendum, which will probably require a considerable budget. As for the various conditions that are currently an issue, such as holding a referendum or a 2-tier area, there should be discussions in the joint committee of both houses. Therefore, it is believed that at the very least, there must be a process that occurs, whether it is the acquisition of a Constituent Assembly, while the measures and various processes are certain to be seen in this government.

For the case where the opposition party noted that at least the government should have crystallized the issue, whether it is the digital wallet or the Tak Bai case, Mr. Surawong said that in fact, regarding the digital wallet, Mr. Chulaphan Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance, spoke clearly about Phase 2 that there will definitely be one, but when and how, let the Ministry of Finance answer.

As for the Tak Bai case, as I have informed you, the party has been closely monitoring the various proce
sses because it cannot be denied that this incident occurred when the Thai Rak Thai Party was established, and the legal cases have continued. We have not neglected it. The legal team is also closely monitoring this matter to see if there is anything we can do to help and provide relief to the feelings of the people in the three southern border provinces.

Mr. Surawong also mentioned the case where the Tak Bai forum had demands from the people and relatives of the deceased who wanted the government to sincerely apologize and there was a proposal to issue an emergency decree to extend the statute of limitations in this case. He said that if the government were to sincerely apologize, we were ready, but we viewed it as a different government. However, in terms of the party, we were clear that we had measures as previously informed that Gen. Pisal, who was one of the suspects in this case, we tried to talk until he took responsibility by resigning from the party, which was a resignation from the House of Represe
ntatives by default. As for the legal case, let him come back to fight the legal case himself. As for the case that the statute of limitations has expired and whether it can be extended or not, he viewed this as a legal matter. In fact, if we were to do this, it would have to go to the Cabinet. Judging from the date, it might not be in time, and we will bring this matter to discuss within the party.

Source: Thai News Agency